Metro Manila stays "on full alert," authorities cite terror threat

Interaskyon.com reports that "Metro Manila police will remain on full alert against an unspecified ’terror threat’ despite peaceful celebrations of the Feast of the Black Nazarene on Monday (January 9)."

Interaksyon.com reports that "Metro Manila police will remain on full alert against an unspecified ’terror threat’ despite peaceful celebrations of the Feast of the Black Nazarene on Monday (January 9)."

The report quoted Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Nicanor Bartolome, who said said they have not lowered the alert status as continuous intelligence operations are underway to pinpoint the location of the suspected terrorists.

The report also quoted Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse Robredo, who revealed that troops swooped down on three safehouses- in Angono, Rizal; Quezon City and Baseco compound in Tondo, Manila-as millions of people attended the Feast of the Black Nazarene procession. The safehouse raids yileded "negative results." According to Robredo, said "it was possible the suspects were alarmed due to heightened police operations."

Interaksyon.com noted: "Up to this time, authorities refuse to disclose the affiliation of the supposed terrorists who have arrived in Manila. Earlier, they said six to nine terrorists from Southern Mindanao have been monitored in Metro Manila since August 2011. Bartolome said police would neither confirm nor deny reports that the suspects were members of the Rajah Solaiman Movement, an alleged extortionist group operating in Mindanao."

Robredo, on the other hand, said these suspects were "cris-crossing" in their affiliation. He explained: "Some of them could be MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front) by day and ASG (Abu Sayyaf Group) by night."